Judge recuses himself in Waechter case

An image from a video that the Sarasota Sheriff's Office says shows former Sarasota Republican Party chairman Bob Waechter purchasing a debit card to make a donation in another's name. (Provided by Sarasota County Sheriff's Office)

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

A judge assigned to hear the felony case of a former Sarasota GOP chairman has ordered it transferred to another judge because of a potential conflict of interest.

Judge Frederick P. Mercurio issued an order this week for Robert Waechter's case to be reassigned to another judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Mercurio, a former defense attorney, said he made the call because Waechter sought to hire him as a lawyer before Mercurio became a judge on Jan. 8.

Mercurio also had other potential ties to Waechter. Mercurio's treasurer for his 2012 campaign was Eric Robinson, a close friend of Waechter's who also served on the Republican Executive Committee with Waechter.

Waechter, 70, was charged by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office last month with a felony for alleged criminal use of someone else's identity. Waechter, through his attorney, has pled not guilty to the charge.

Waechter is accused of using a prepaid debit card to make campaign donations to a Democratic congressional candidate in the name of a political foe, Siesta Key neighborhood activist Lourdes Ramirez.

He also allegedly made donations in Ramirez's name to a Democratic state legislative candidate.

Ramirez, a Republican, has openly considered running for the County Commission in 2014. Waechter, meanwhile, has been recruiting other candidates to oppose her.

Sheriff's detectives have said they traced the online campaign donations to Waechter's work computer and the prepaid debit card purchase to a grocery store where a person resembling Waechter is seen on surveillance video buying the card.

The State Attorney's Office has yet to file formal charges against Waechter and a court date has not yet been set.

<p>A judge assigned to hear the felony case of a former Sarasota GOP chairman has ordered it transferred to another judge because of a potential conflict of interest.</p><p>Judge Frederick P. Mercurio issued an order this week for Robert Waechter's case to be reassigned to another judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit.</p><p>Mercurio, a former defense attorney, said he made the call because Waechter sought to hire him as a lawyer before Mercurio became a judge on Jan. 8.</p><p>Mercurio also had other potential ties to Waechter. Mercurio's treasurer for his 2012 campaign was Eric Robinson, a close friend of Waechter's who also served on the Republican Executive Committee with Waechter.</p><p>Waechter, 70, was charged by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office last month with a felony for alleged criminal use of someone else's identity. Waechter, through his attorney, has pled not guilty to the charge.</p><p>Waechter is accused of using a prepaid debit card to make campaign donations to a Democratic congressional candidate in the name of a political foe, Siesta Key neighborhood activist Lourdes Ramirez.</p><p>He also allegedly made donations in Ramirez's name to a Democratic state legislative candidate.</p><p>Ramirez, a Republican, has openly considered running for the County Commission in 2014. Waechter, meanwhile, has been recruiting other candidates to oppose her.</p><p>Sheriff's detectives have said they traced the online campaign donations to Waechter's work computer and the prepaid debit card purchase to a grocery store where a person resembling Waechter is seen on surveillance video buying the card.</p><p>The State Attorney's Office has yet to file formal charges against Waechter and a court date has not yet been set.</p>